Shirt garment with hidden button

ABSTRACT

A garment having a collar, the garment comprising: a placket, extending the length of the garment and having spaced apart first and a second buttons substantially nearer to the collar than a third button; wherein a portion of the placket intermediate the first and second button comprises a fly-front placket hiding an intermediate button therein; and wherein a remaining portion of the placket is not a fly front placket.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/412,142, filed Jan. 31, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/369,780, filed Dec. 5, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/084,382, filed Nov. 19, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,538,791, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Business casual is an increasingly viable mode of dress. For most, business casual includes a button down collared shirt or blouse. The top buttons of these garments are often left unsecured, so as to leave open the collar area for a more casual appearance, even while wearing business attire.

However, often times, the placement of the buttons on the garment are not custom to the wearer. This may lead to an uncomfortable situation. If the wearer is too buttoned up—i.e. one too many buttons are buttoned—he/she may project the appearance of being uptight or stuffy. If the wearer is too buttoned down—i.e. one too few buttons are buttoned—he/she may be seen as sloppy. This is particularly troublesome where being too buttoned down exposes an inappropriate amount of chest hair or cleavage. But, if one were to simply add more buttons to a shirt or blouse, the resultant look would be aesthetically unpleasing simply due to the excess number of buttons.

It is therefore desirable to provide garments having hidden intermediate buttons between the topmost exposed buttons that will permit wearers to be optimally unbuttoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A collared shirt is described herein that overcomes the limitations noted above.

The collared shirt has a placket with spaced apart first and a second buttons, wherein a portion of the placket intermediate the first and second button is a fly-front placket for hiding an intermediate button.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the presently described apparatus and method of its use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Illustrated in the accompanying drawing(s) is at least one of the best mode embodiments of the present invention. In such drawing(s):

FIG. 1 illustrates a garment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a garment showing a hidden portion of a placket according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a three-button polo shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is another illustration of the three-button polo shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a four-button polo shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another illustration of the four-button polo shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is another illustration of a shirt according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The above described drawing figures illustrate the described invention in at least one of its preferred, best mode embodiment, which is further defined in detail in the following description. Those having ordinary skill in the art may be able to make alterations and modifications to what is described herein without departing from its spirit and scope. While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated. Therefore, it should be understood that what is illustrated is set forth only for the purposes of example and should not be taken as a limitation on the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary garment 10 in accordance with at least one preferred embodiment.

The garment (for example, a shirt or blouse) comprises a collar 20 and a placket 40 extending therefrom, permitting a user to don the garment with substantial ease. Preferably, the placket extends the entire length of the shirt, but it may also extend only a portion of the shirt. Indeed, in embodiments where the placket extends only a portion of the shirt, it is preferable that the placket extends the upper portion of the shirt, as defined by the user's chest area while in use.

The placket comprises a top piece 42 that overlays a bottom piece 44, the bottom piece having a plurality of spaced apart exposed buttons 46 for removably engaging correspondingly spaced apart button holes 48 of the top piece. Thus, the top and bottom pieces may be disengaged so that the user may easily don the shirt, and then reengaged to close the shirt. In some embodiments, the collar may also include one or more collar buttons 22 and corresponding button holes 24. Importantly, the exposed buttons and the collar buttons, when engaged with their respective button holes, are exposed through the button holes of the top piece and therefore are plainly visible to an observer.

The plurality of buttons includes at least a first and a second button, and corresponding button holes. The first button is the button located closest to the collar, while the second button is the next closest. Neither the first nor the second button is located on the collar.

As shown in FIG. 2, the placket further comprises a hidden portion 50 located between the first and second button holes and consisting of a fly-front for concealing an intermediate button 56 when the shirt is closed. In some embodiments, the intermediate button has a diameter that is less than the diameter of the first and second buttons.

Preferably, the hidden portion consists of the top piece 52 (42) overlaying an intermediate piece 51 between the first and second buttons (or button holes) so as to form a pocket therebetween. A hidden button hole (not shown) is preferably located on the intermediate piece for removably engaging the intermediate button. However, the top piece preferably lacks a corresponding button hole for the intermediate button and therefore covers the engaged hidden button from view. The top and intermediate pieces may overlay the bottom piece 54 (44), which includes the intermediate button, so as to permit the intermediate button to engage the hidden button hole as described herein. In at least one embodiment, the hidden portion does not extend beyond the first and second button holes and is located solely therebetween.

In some embodiments, only a single hidden portion 51 is provided. The hidden 51 portion may be located at the mid-point between the first and second buttons 46, and may consist of a strip of placket material (i.e., the intermediate piece 51), preferably cloth, affixed at either longitudinal ends 61 and 62 to the inner surface of the top piece.

Turning to FIG. 3, a three-button polo shirt 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The polo shirt 100 can include either long or short sleeves and can be made of the following materials: 100% cotton, 95% cotton/5% spandex, 96% cotton/4% spandex, 92% polyester/8% spandex, and/or 94% polyester/6% spandex. The polo shirt 100 includes a collar 110 and a collar button 120 located on the front of the shirt 100 just below the left collar opening. The polo shirt 100 further includes a placket, having a bottom piece 125 and top piece 126, that runs a portion of the length of the shirt 100, long enough to accommodate a first button 130 below the collar button 120, and a second button 140 located below the first button 130. In one embodiment, the second button 140 is located approximately 3.75 inches from the first button 130, on the bottom placket 125, measured at the center of each button. Further, the second button 140 is located approximately 1.75 inches above the seam 150 of the placket pieces 125/126, which is located just above the end 160 of the placket 125/126. Each button on the bottom placket 125 may have a corresponding button hole on the top placket 126. For instance, collar button 120 may have a corresponding button hole located at 122. The first button 130 has a corresponding button hole 132 located on the top placket 126. Likewise, the second button 140 has a corresponding button hole 142, also located on the top placket 126.

As with the previous embodiment, there's also a hidden button 135 for optimal wear, hidden in between the first button 130 and second button 140. Turning to FIG. 4, what is shown is the three-button shirt 100 with the hidden button 135 revealed. The hidden button 135 is located on bottom placket 125, in between the first button 130 and second button 140 at approximately the midpoint. Further, the hidden button 135 is smaller in size than the first button 130 and second button 140. On the top placket 126, there is a hidden placket strip 137, that forms a button hole 138 for the hidden button 135. The hidden placket strip 137 has ends that are attached underneath the top placket 126. Note that the hidden button 135 could be located underneath the top placket 126, and the hidden placket strip 137 could be attached to the bottom placket 125 in alternative embodiments. This attachment could also be in the form of Velcro, snap button, and other types of fasteners.

Turning to FIG. 5, a four-button polo shirt 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The polo shirt 200 can include either long or short sleeves. The polo shirt 100 can include either long or short sleeves and can be made of the following materials: 100% cotton, 95% cotton/5% spandex, 96% cotton/4% spandex, 92% polyester/8% spandex, and/or 94% polyester/6% spandex. The polo shirt 200 includes a collar 210 and a collar button 220 located on the front of the shirt 200 just below the left collar opening. The polo shirt 200 further includes a placket, having a bottom piece 225 and top piece 226, that runs a portion of the length of the shirt 200, long enough to accommodate a first button 230 below the collar button 220, a second button 240 located below the first button 230, and a third button 270 located below the second button 240. In one embodiment, the first button 230 is located approximately 60 millimeters from the collar button 220 on the bottom placket 225, measured at the center of each button. The second button 240 is located approximately 50 millimeters from the first button 230. Further, the third button 270 is located approximately 50 millimeters from the second button 240 and approximately 33 millimeters above the seam 250 of the placket pieces 225/226, which are located just above the end 260 of the placket 225/226. Each button on the bottom placket 225 may have a corresponding button hole on the top placket 226. For example, collar button 220 may have a corresponding button hole located at 222. The first button 230 has a corresponding button hole 232 located on the top placket 226. Likewise, the second button 240 has a corresponding button hole 242. Finally, the third button 270 has a corresponding button hole 272.

As with the previous embodiment, there's also a hidden button 235 for optimal wear, hidden in between the first button 230 and second button 240. Turning to FIG. 6, what is shown is the four-button shirt 200 with the hidden button 235 revealed. The hidden button 235 is located on bottom placket 225, in between the first button 230 and second button 240 at approximately the midpoint. Further, the hidden button 235 is smaller in size than the first button 230 and second button 240. On the top placket 226, there is a hidden placket strip 237, that forms a button hole 238 for the hidden button 235. The hidden placket strip 237 has ends that are attached underneath the top placket 226. Note that the hidden button 235 could be located underneath the top placket 226, and the hidden placket strip 237 could be attached to the bottom placket 225 in alternative embodiments. This attachment could also be in the form of Velcro, snap button, and other types of fasteners.

Turning to FIG. 7, another shirt 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown, which uses button snaps instead of buttons and button holes. The shirt 300 can include either long or short sleeves and includes a collar 310 and a male collar button snap 320 located on the front of the shirt 300 just below the left collar opening and a corresponding female button snap 322 just below the right collar opening. The shirt 300 further includes a placket, having a bottom piece 325 and top piece 326, that runs at least a portion of the length of the shirt 300, long enough to accommodate a first male button snap 330 below the collar button snap 320 and a second button snap 340 located below the first male button snap 330. Each male button snap on the bottom placket 325 has a corresponding female button snap on the top placket 326. For example, the male collar button snap 320 has a corresponding female button snap 322. The first male button snap 330 has a corresponding female button snap 332 located on the top placket 326. Likewise, the second male button snap 340 has a corresponding female button snap (shown snapped together).

As with the previous embodiment, there's also a hidden male button snap 335 for optimal wear, hidden in between the first male button snap 330 and second male button snap 340. The hidden male button snap 335 is located on bottom placket 325, in between the first male button snap 330 and second male button snap 340 at approximately the midpoint. Further, the hidden male button snap 335 is smaller in size than the first male button snap 330 and second male button snap 340. On the top placket 326, there is a hidden placket strip 337, with a female button snap 338 attached to it, at approximately a midpoint of the hidden placket strip 337. This female button snap 338 corresponds to the hidden male button snap 335. The hidden placket strip 337 has ends that are attached underneath the top placket 326. Note that the hidden male button snap 335 could be located underneath the top placket 326 and the hidden placket strip 337 with the female button snap 338 could be attached to the bottom placket 325 in alternative embodiments.

The enablements described in detail above are considered novel over the prior art of record and are considered critical to the operation of at least one aspect of the invention and to the achievement of the above described objectives. The words used in this specification to describe the instant embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification: structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus, if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word or words describing the element.

The definitions of the words or drawing elements described herein are meant to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense, it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements described and its various embodiments or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim.

Changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalents within the scope intended and its various embodiments. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. This disclosure is thus meant to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted, and also what incorporates the essential ideas.

The scope of this description is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims and it is made clear, here, that the named inventor believes that the claimed subject matter is what is intended to be patented. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shirt having a collar, the shirt having a length and a placket extending at least a portion of the length of the shirt, said placket comprising: a bottom piece with an attached collar male button snap, an attached first male button snap spaced apart from the collar male button snap and below the collar male button snap, and an attached second male button snap spaced apart from the first male button snap and below the first male button snap, wherein the collar male button snap, first male button snap, and second male button snap are substantially the same size; and; wherein the bottom piece further comprises at least one intermediate male button snap located in between the first and second male button snaps, the at least one intermediate male button snap being smaller than the collar male button snap, first male button snap, and second male button snap, and a top piece that substantially overlays the bottom piece when worn, wherein the top piece defines a first female button snap that corresponds to the first male button snap and a second female button snap that corresponds to the second male button snap, wherein the top piece further comprises a single hidden intermediate piece comprising a strip of placket material having first and second longitudinal ends, each of the first and second longitudinal ends being affixed to an inner surface of the top piece in between the first and second female button snaps, the intermediate piece and the inner surface of the top piece forming a pocket there between, wherein the hidden intermediate piece includes an intermediate female button snap to receive the at least one intermediate male button snap.
 2. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the at least one intermediate male button snap is located at a midpoint between the first and second male button snaps.
 3. The shirt of claim 1, wherein the shirt is made of at least one of the following materials: 100% cotton, 95% cotton/5% spandex, 96% cotton/4% spandex, 92% polyester/8% spandex and 94% polyester/6% spandex. 